The 2009 World Youth Chess Championship is being held in Antalya – Kemer between 11-23 November 2009. It has been two years since the 2007 World Youth Chess Championship that was also organized at the same site. This year the competition stages the meeting of 1324 participants from 90 countries all over the world and with the accompanying personnel, parents, coaches, staff etc. this number reaches 2380 people.

The 2009 World Youth Chess Championship has officially set off with the opening ceremony which began with the flag presentation of the participating countries at 20:00 on the 11th of November 2009. After the protocol speeches of mayor of Kemer Municipality Mustafa Gül and the president of Turkish Chess Federation Ali Nihat Yazici, the ceremony proceeded with the national folk dance shows.

The FIDE president Kirsan Ilyumzhinov sent a success and welfare message to the participating countries and players. Afterwards GM Kivanç Haznedaroglu was awarded in a ceremony for his recent successful performance and attaining the title of grand master. The president of TCF Ali Nihat Yazici presented a symbolic check for 30.000 TL to the talented GM Kivanc Haznedaroglu.

The Mayor of Kemer Municipality, Mustafa Gül stated in his speech: “It is a common goal to reach success in today’s world. Perseverance, self-sacrifice, patience, training and usage of time in a planned manner are the driving forces behind success. To summarize success has its costs. The most efficient way to teach all of these to our children is chess. To have hardworking, analysis skills developed, out of ordinary, emotionally and intellectually well developed generations we support chess and youth.” He also thanked everyone who contributed to make this organization possible and he expressed his success wishes to all players.

The president of TCF Ali Nihat YazÄ±cÄ± mentioned: “ As the Turkish Chess Federation we have been hosting very important chess organizations in recent years. Turkish Chess Federations plays an important role in world chess. Our goal is to be an elite chess country like Russia and Azerbaijan.” He finished his speech with his best wishes of great success and good time for players, parents, coaches and all guests.